Chelsea

Construction and Design Status

Segment 5 of Hudson River Park runs from the Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex – another popular and important commercial tenant generating operating revenue for the Park – to 34th Street.

From 22nd to 25th Streets, the magnificent Chelsea Cove designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh is the largest contiguous open space within Hudson River Park. Chelsea Cove features a broad central lawn, which, in the design team's words, "reconnects the vertical city with the drama of the horizon." The cove includes a skate park, a carousel featuring animals found historically in and along the Hudson River within a lauded “shed” by architect CR Studio, and an entry garden designed in collaboration with Lynden B. Miller. It also includes a landscape installation by environmental artist Meg Webster. Pier 64, which forms the north side of the cove, rises gently to the west, providing breathtaking views up and down river, as well as back toward the city.

On the east side of Route 9A is the heavily used Chelsea Waterside section of the Park. Located between 22nd and 24th Streets from the West Side Highway to 11th Avenue, this 2.5-acre section reflects the area’s past through the use of rough granite walls – reminiscent of 19th Century waterfront bulkheads – which form its eastern, western, and northern perimeters; these are mixed with more modern features such as stainless steel fencing, brightly colored fountain sculptures, and play equipment. In addition to the sports field which was recently renovated with funding from City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, there is a heavily-used dog run, once named “Best in New York” by New York Magazine. The Chelsea Waterside section was designed by Thomas Balsley.

North of Chelsea Cove is the historic Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Float Transfer Bridget (Pier 66a), restored by the Trust and NYS Department of Transportation through a federal grant. Pier 66a currently functions as the home to the Frying Pan, a historic lightship converted into a popular local watering hole and event space.

Immediately north is Pier 66, home to another non-motorized boathouse and slips for small sailboats. At the pier’s western end is a specially commissioned “water wheel” sculpture by artist Paul Ramirez-Jonas. And alongside these two piers is an ecological planting zone where plants that support beneficial insects are given priority over people for a length of three blocks – gardeners, volunteers and organized educational trips only may enter this area. Pier 66 and the surrounding landscape were designed by Miceli Kulik Williams and Richard Dattner, and Pier 66 was the Honor Award winner of the American Society of Landscape Architects – New Jersey Chapter – in 2007.

The area from 29th to 34th Streets is still in flux pending availability of funding and ongoing planning related to the 30th Street Heliport and Hudson Yards on the east side of Route 9A.